Tire-vulcanizer.



o. I. HUDSON.y

TIRE VULCANIZBR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29, 1912.

` Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Inventor 'In l Attorneys C. I. DODSON.

TIRE VULGANIZER. APrLloATIoN FILED JAN. 2e, 1912.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor r o Attorvrjes www Witnesses CHARLES I; DODSN, F PITTSBURG, KANSAS.

TIRE-VULCANIZER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ma1-.1s,19is.

Application filed January 29, 1912. Serial No. 674,088.

I mitted to escape 'against the tire.

The present invention makes it possible to repair the damaged part without over curing the perfect part, and without the use of a kettle. When the kettle. method is employed, the tire is placed within the kettle, and the kettle is sealed, steam being ada, mitted into the kettle under pressure, with thearesult that old rubber, as Well as the new, is cured, the old rubber being overcured; moreover, the fabric in the original, undam- 4 aged part of the tire, is saturated with water condensation, with the result thatthe fabric soon separates from the rubber. In the present instance, steam is applied to the damaged part of the tire only. The device herein disclosed consists of three principal vulcanizers, each of which,

may bea one-piece structure, thus avoiding joints and joint-closures, which aresubject to deterioration by heat, and by' expansion and contraction. The invention aim's to provlde a series of vulcanizers of novel and improved form,

zand to provide novel means whereby steam may be supplied'to the vulcanizers, means being provided for cont-rolling the steam supp y of the several vulcanizers.

Further, the invention aims so to construct each of these vulcanizers, that the rubber will not only be heated, but be cured as well, from a common source of steam supply.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter dei scribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made Within the scope of What is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings,-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention, parts being broken away and sectioned; Fig. 2 is a transverse vsection of the outside vulcanizer; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the device, parts being removed; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the tube vulcanizer; Fig. 5 is a top plan of the outside vulcanizer; and Fig. 6 is a transverse section of a supplemental outside vulcanizer, employed in connection with the outsidevulcanizer shown in cross section in Fig. 2.

In carrying out the invent-ion there is provided a supporting frame 1, upholding an outsidevulcanizer 2, which is closed, so as to hold steam. Extending from the top 3 of the outside vulcanizer 2 is a trough 4. It is in the trough 4 that a blow-out repair is made, and the trough 4 may be shaped variously, to accommodate different forms of tires. In the present instance, the trough 4 is curved transversely, as shown at 5, to

'conform tothe transverse'curvature of the tire, the trough being longitudinally curved, as shown at 6, to conform approximately to the tire. Preferably, although no-t necessarily, the outside'vulcanizerV 2, yin general outline, follows the longitudinal curvature 6 of the trough 4. Extended longitudinally of the trough 4, beneatht-he same, and sometimes formed integrally with the trough 4, is a conducting tube 7, closed at its ends by the end walls 8 of the outside vulcanizer 2. The space surrounding the trough 4 and the tube 7 constitutes the steam compartment 9 of the outside vulcanizer 2. yThe trough 4 is pierced by a longitudinally disposed series of outlets 10, communicating with the conducting tube 7. Extended longitudinally of the trough 4, and covering the outlets 10, is a porous diffusion member 11, which may be a piece of coarse fabric, the function of the diffusion member 11 being to secure an even distribution upon the tire, of the steam which passes from the interior of the conducting tube 7, through the outlets 10.

When the tire is disposed against the diffusion member 11, the tire is held in place by clamping mechanism of any desired sort. This clamping mechanism may include a bridge 12, extended across the trough 4, a hand screw 14 being threaded into the bridge 12, the screw 14 bearing against bead strips 15. These strips 15 are shown conventionally in Fi 3, and they may be Shaped variouslv. enending umm tha mslm of the tire which'is being vulcanized. The bead strips 15 are removable and interchangeable.

The invention further includes a tube vulcanizer 16, located above the outside vulcanizer 2, and being preferably straight from .end t-o end, and of rectangular cross section, as shown in Fig. 4. Extended longitudinally of the tube vulcanizer 16 is a primary partition 17. Extended from the primary partition 17 to the top of the tube vulcanizer 16 are secondary partitions 18. T he space below the primary partition 17 constitutes an accumulation chamber 19, and the spaces between the secondary partitions 18, above the partition 17, constitute diffusion chambers 20. The upper face of the tube vulcanizer 16 is provided with a series of outlets 21, opening into the several diffusion chambers 20. A main pipe 22 extends longitudinally of the tube vulcanizer' 16, upon the outside ofthe same, there being branches 23 projecting from the main pipe 22, each of which branches communicates with one of the diffusion chambers 20. Interposed in the main pipe 22, between the branches 23, are valves 24. Projecting from one end` of the tube vulcanizer 16 is a supporting ipe 25, carrying a pressure gage 26. Proect-ing from the opposite end of the tube vulcanizer 16 is a lling pipe 27, into whicha valve 28 is interposed, there being a filling funnel 29 at one end of the pipe` 27. A -safety valve 30 is interposedin the filling pipe 27 y A connecting pipe 31 enters the rear wall of the outside vulcanizer 2', the pipe 31 entering the bottom of the tube vulcanizer 16. A valve 32 is interposed in the pipe 31.

Disposed above the tube vulcanizer 16 is an inside vulcanizer 33. The inside vulcanizer 33 is preferably of circular cross section, and is upwardly arched. Exltended longitudinally of the inside vulcanizer 33 is a partition 34, dividing the interior of the vulcanizer into a lower accumulation compartment 35, and an upper diffusion compartment 36. In the top of the inside vulcanizer 33 are out-lets 37 communicating with the diffusion compartment 36.

A pipe 38 leads from the accumulation compartment -19 of the tube vulcanizer 16 to one end of the accumulation compartment 35 of the inside vulcanizer 33. In this pipe 38 is interposed a valve 39. A pipe 40 communicates with t-he pipe 38 and enters one end of the Vdiffusion compartment 36 of the inside vulcanizer 33. A valve 41 is located in the pipe 40. A pipe 42 communicates with the accumulation .compartment 19 of the tube vulcanizer 16, and enters` the opposite A'end of the. accumulation compartment 35 of the inside vulcanizer, a--valve 43 being interposed Ain the pipe42. 4-A pipe 44 2O of the tube vulcanizer 16, through the end wall 8 of the outside vulcani'zer tube, and' vulcanizers, 1n any desired manner. In thel present instance, a fuel reservoir 48 is located above the inside vulcanizer 33, and from thls reservoir a pipe 49 extends downwardly, a

valve 50 being interposed in the pipe 49.4

The pipe 49 communicates with a burner 51, located below a boiler 52, supported by the frame 1 below the outside vulcanizer 2. A gage glass 53 connects the boiler 52 with the 'steam compartment 9 of the outside vulcanizer 2. Communication is established between the boiler 52 and the steam compartment 9 of the outside vulcanizer 2, through the medium of a pipe 54.

The invention may also include a reser-` voir 55, which may contain elther steam or water. A pipe 56 leads from the reservoir 55 to the boiler 52, the pipe 56 being equipped with a valve 57. A pipe 58 forms a communication between the reservoir 55 and the compartment 9 of the outside vulcanizer 2, there being a valve 59 in the pipe 58. A pipe 60`enters the reservoir 55, `a valve 61y being interposed' in the pipe 60.

The invention may also include a supplemental trough 62, shown in Fig. 6, the tro-ugh 62 having a steam chamber 63, corresponding to the tube 7 of the trough 4. Inv the trough 62 there are openings 64, communicating with the chamber 63. The

vmanner of using the supplemental trough 62 will be referred to hereinafter.

Preliminary to the description of the operation of the device, it may be stated that the outside vulcanizer 2 is employed for blowout repair work, the vulcanizer 16 being employed for curing inner tubes, and the vulcanizer 33 being employed Vfor curing -inside of the tire or casing.

When the outside vulcanizer 2 is to be used, the tire or casing is placed in the trough 4, in contact with the porous diffusion member 11, in the manner hereinbefore described. The valve 47 is closed, the valve 32 is closed, and the valve 46 is opened. The steam, proceeding from the boiler 52 will pass by way-of the pipe 54 into the steam chamber 9 of the outside vulcanizer 2. The trough 4 will-thus be heated. The

steam which -is in the main compartment or chamber 9 will pass'by way of the pipe 45,

Y through the i e 44 and intothe, conductin leads from one end of the diifusin'chamber P p g tube 7, thefsteam proceeding through the trough 4, for the purpose of reducing the size thereof, the ipe 44 being connected with one end ofp the chamber 63. The trough 62 may be of any desired shape, to enable a single device to operate upon tires of different cross-sectional areas.

When it is desired to use the tube vulcanizer 16, the valves 39 and 43 are closed, the valve 46 is closed, the valve 47 is' opened, the valve 32 is opened, and the valve 28 is closed. The steam will thereupon pass from the boiler'52, by way of the pipe 54 int-o the steam chamber 9 of the outside vulcanizer 2, and from the steam chamber 9, byy way of the pipe 45 into the pipe 44, and thence into one of the diffusion chambers20 of the tube vulcanizer 16. From the chamber 20 under discussion, steam may be supplied to other chambers 20, by means of the main pipe 22 and the branches 23, the valves 24 being opened one after another, according to the length of the tube which 'is being treated. The steam will also pass from the chamber 9 of the outside vulcanizer 2, by way of the pipe 31 into the accumulation chamber 19 of the tube culcanizer 16. The pressure will be indicated by the gage 26, and excessive pressure lwill be relieved by means of the safety valve 30. It will, of course, be understood that the steam within the diffusion chambers 20 of the tube vulcanizer 16 will pass out- `wardly through the openings 21.

When it is desired to use the inside vulcanizer 33, the valve 32 is opened, the valve 47 is closed, the valves 39 and 43 are opened,

whereupon the steam will pass from the boiler 52, by way of the pipe 54, into the chamber 9 of the outside vulcanizer 2, and thence by way of the pipe 31, into the accumulation chamber y19 of the tube vulcanizer, and from the chamber 19 by way of the pipes 38 and 42 into the accumulation compartment 35 of the inside -vulcanizer 33.v The valve 4l may be manipulated,0pen-` ing the pipe 40, and permitting steam to pass from the pipe 38 into the diffusion compartment V36 of theinside vulcanizer, and from the compartment 36, by way of. the openings 37, against the tire or other st-ructure which is being vulcanized. The steam supply to the compartment 36 is controlled by the valve 41, the valve 47 exercising a similar construction with 'respect to theA chamber 20.

In order to fill the boiler 52 with water, the valve 28 may be'opened, water beingintroduced i'nto the pipe 27 through the fun# nel 29, the water traversingV the chamber 19 into vulcanizer 16, and passing thence by way of the pipe 3l into the chamber 9 ofl opened. If desired,water may be introduced into the reservoir 55 by means of the pipe 60, the valves 57 and 59, being o-pened, when desired, whereupon the pressure within the compartment 9 of the outside ,vulcanizer 2 will cause the water to flow through the pipe 56 into the boiler`52, the valve 61 being closed when t-he pressure within the boiler 52 is greater than the head of Water which supplies the pipe 60.

Having thus described the invention what 1. A device of the class described comprising a steam-holding casing; a trough extended into the casing; a tube extended alo-ng the bottom of the trough, there being an o-pening leading from the tube into the trough; means for supplying steamto the casing; means for conducting steam from the casing to the tube; and a steam control interpo-sed in the steam-conducting means. l

2. A device of the class described comprising a casing having a longitudinal partitio-n defining an accumulation compartment at one side of the casing, there being transverse partitions connected with the longitudinal partition, and defining a plurality of diffusion compartments at the other' side of the casing, each diffusion compartment having an outlet; means for supplying steam to the accumulating compartment; means for supplying steam to one diffusion compartment; means for establishing a communication between said difusion compart ment and an adjoining diffusion compartment; and a steam-control interposed in the lastnamed means.

3. A device of the class described comprising a casing having a longitudinal partition defining an accumulation compartment at one side of the casing, there being transverse partitions connected with the longitudinal partition and defining a plurality of diffusion compartments at the other side of the casing, each diii'usion compartment having an outlet; means for supplying steam to the accumulation compartment; means for supplying steam to one diusion compartment; a pipe connecting said diffusion compartcasing, the diffusion compartment being provided with an outlet; a pipe leading from the diffusion compartment to the tube; a pipe leading from the first mentioned pipe into the first mentioned casing; valves irl-- terposed in the first mentioned pipe, upon opposite sides of the last mentioned pipe; and a connection between 'the first mentioned casing and the accumulation co-mpartment of the second casing.

5. A device of the class described comprising a steam-holding casing; a trough depending into the casing; a tube extended along t-he bottom of the trough, there being an opening leading from the tube into the trough; a second casing having a longitudinal partition defining an accumulation compartment at one side of the casing, there being transverse partitions connected with the longitudinal partition and defining a plurality of diffusion compartments at the other side of the casing,A each diffusion compartment having an outlet; means for establishing a communication between one dii fusion compartment and another diffusion compartment; a steam-control interposed in said means; a conduit between the first inentioned casing and the vaccumulation compartment; a connection between one diffusion compartment and the tube; a second connection leading from the first connection into the first mentioned casing; and valves interposed in the first specified connection, -on opposite sides of the second specified connection.

6. .A device of the class described comprisindg la primary'steam-holding casing; a secon ary tubular casing; longitudinal partitions in the casings, defining an accumulation chamber and a diffusion chamber in each casing, each. diffusion chamber being provided with an outlet discharging against the article to be vulcanized; means for supplying steam to both chambers .of the primary casing; a connection between the accumulation chamber'of the `'Jrfimary casing and the accumulation chamber of the secondary casing; a valve in said connection; a second connection between the first mentioned connection and the diffusion chamber of the secondary casing; and a valve' interposed in the second communication.

7. A device of the class described comy prising a primary tubular casing; a second.

pipe into the diffusion' chamber of the secondary casing; and valves'interplosed in both of the last mentioned pipes.

8. A device of the class described comprising a casing; atrough dependin into the casing; a tube extended along the ottom of the tro-ugh, there being an opening leading from the tube into the trough; a primary tubular casing; a secondary tubular casing; longitudinal partitions in. the casings, defining an accumulation chamber and a diffusion chamber in each of the primary and vsecondary casings; a pipe connecting the first mentioned casing with the accumulation chamber of the primary casing; a valve interposed in said pipe; a conductin pipe leading from the diffusion chamber o the primary casing into the tube; a branch pipe leading from the conducting pipe into the first mentioned casing; valves in the conducting pipe upon both sides of the branch pipe; a main pipe leadingv from the accumulation chamber of the primary casing into the accumulation chamber of thesecondary casing; an auxiliary ipe leading from the main pipe into the di usion chamber of the secondary casing; and valves interposed in the main and auxiliary pipes.

' In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES I. DODSON.

Witnesses:

O. T. Cnorrnns, M. B. ZoLLAns.

- Copies of this paten't ,mayfle obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' v Washington, D. C. 

